DATES: 3/1/2026-3/7/2026
The Arizona chapter of VOSH traveled to Sonora, Mexico to the town of Navajoa to take part in a vision clinic in association with the municipality of Navajoa, Pitic Rotary, VOSH Sonora, School of Optometry at UAA in Aguas Caliente, School of Optometry at UAS in Culiacan, as well as students/instructors from Hermosillo, Sonora. Navajoa is a town of about 165,000 residents with an economy centered around agriculture and livestock. The group stayed in Navajoa and spent Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday seeing patients in the clinic.
The clinic was organized into a series of stations arranged to reflect the typical patient care workflow. The first station was registration, where representatives from the government health agency recorded patient identification and relevant health information. Patients then proceeded to the auto‑refraction station, which was operated by experienced volunteers. Following this, patients were evaluated at the visual acuity station, staffed by optometry students and volunteers. The next station was triage, where optometrists and students assessed patients and determined the appropriate next step in their care. Most patients then advanced to the refraction and/or ocular disease stations, both of which were staffed by optometrists and students. After completing refraction and ocular disease evaluations, patients visited the optical station where opticians, volunteers, and students assisted patients with selecting donated frames. Adjacent to the optical area were the reading glasses and sunglasses stations, where Rotarians supported the dispensing of donated eyewear. In addition, a dedicated pediatric station was available, where a Mexican optometrist specializing in pediatric care performed eye examinations for children. As in the previous year, optometry students from both the United States and Mexico were divided into mixed groups, identified by hat and name tag color, and rotated through six of the stations to ensure a comprehensive and well‑rounded clinical experience.
Our combined volunteer group of 108 consisted of 33 optometry students, 19 doctors, 15 translators, 32 volunteers, and 9 Rotarians. There was a prevailing sense of kindness and willingness to serve that made this experience truly special and was a tribute to the goodness of everyone who participated. There were 2237 patients examined. 148 people were referred for cataract surgery. 1264 prescription glasses have been ordered, 461 readers were given out, and 1400 sunglasses were dispensed.
A heart-felt thanks to all who participated, organized, and facilitated this remarkable undertaking. This world is better because of your efforts! We hope to see you again.